Cooler Pov(first-point of view)

  I sighed. Of course I had to do this. Why? Because I was heading back to the hospital. That’s right-back to retrieve the human girl and bring her to Goddess Vaassith herself.

  According to the goddess, she suspects the girl is someone of high importance. I wasn’t given many details-just simply told to bring the girl to the chamber where Goddess Vaassith was personally waiting. I’d never heard of a small human child being brought before her.

  Well… maybe there had been exceptions. Warriors from other gods and goddesses. People from blessed bloodlines meeting her in ages past. And… many other unique cases. Now that I think about it, maybe it’s not so strange after all. I must be overthinking it. Goddess Vaassith is strange by nature-divine, after all.

  Still, part of me was gd she ughed openly when I made that shocked expression earlier. It meant our bond was still strong. I was gd for that-truly. At least one of my closest retionships remained intact. Shaking my head, I approached the hospital room where the young human girl had been pced. The blonde-haired, green-eyed girl.

  Before I reached the doorway, a burst of ughter erupted from the room.

  Good. That told me she was awake. But what were they ughing about? And who was with her?

  Curious, I peeked around the corner and saw the girl sitting upright on the hospital bed, wide awake and ughing with a nurse of Lizardfolk origin.

  “Ah! So I told the guy-‘Why are you kidnapping me?’ You know what he said?” the girl giggled.

  “What, little miss Sarah?” the nurse asked, clearly amused.

  Sarah. I made a mental note of her name.

  The girl then exaggerated a deadpan face and said, “He said in the most bored voice ever, ‘I’m doing it for a job that pays well and told me not to ask questions, miss. Sorry. Also, I want to be rich one day. So please be kidnapped.’”

  The nurse burst into ughter. Even I couldn’t stop a quiet snicker from escaping.

  At the sound of my snickering, the human girl-Sarah-looked toward the door. Her emerald eyes sparkled.

  “Ah! It’s awesome ninja lizard man!” she shouted excitedly.

  Oh? So that’s how she remembers me.

  I couldn’t help but smile unconsciously.

  “Yes, it’s me,” I said, stepping in. “How are you doing?”

  Sarah nodded rapidly. “Absolutely fine! You saved me!”

  I nodded, relieved. Something inside me sighed in quiet relief. The effort to save her had been worth it. I had to admit-I liked this feeling.

  “I’m gd, Sarah-”

  “Oh! You know my name, um… Mister-?”

  “Just call me Cooler. Cooler Trauss. I overheard your name when this kind nurse mentioned it.”

  Sarah nodded again. “I see!”

  The nurse cleared her throat lightly. “Ahem.”

  I blinked, then quickly apologized. “Ah-sorry for not greeting you first.”

  “No worries." the nurse replied politely, smiling. “I just wanted to let you know that she has no visible injuries, nor any internal damage. She’s good to go.”

  “I see. Thanks for the update.” I said with a slight bow. Then I turned to Sarah.

  “Um… Sarah, would you be willing to come with me? There’s someone who wants to meet you. Someone who can help you.”

  Sarah smiled brightly and nodded. “Of course! Please lead the way.” She bowed slightly from where she sat on the bed. “I saw how you saved me. I remember feeling you carry me on your back. I trust you.”

  I nodded again, grateful for her trust.

  But then I remembered something-the ice cream promise.

  Right. I should follow through with that after I take her to Goddess Vaassith. Or… maybe we could stop for ice cream on the way first.

  “First, let’s go to an ice cream shop.”

  Her eyes gleamed brightly. “Really?”

  “Yeah… You kept your promise, remember?”

  Sarah blinked, and then realization lit up her face. “You mean the part where I stopped screaming?”

  “Yes, since you were a good girl.”

  “YAYYYY!!”

  I decided not to ask her about her origin. All would be revealed once we reached Goddess Vaassith. A thought crossed my mind.

  “I forgot to ask-how old are you?”

  Sarah grinned and proudly replied, “I’m nine years old!”

  Only nine? And she was already kidnapped at such a young age. Thinking back to when she was locked in that high-security cell… she didn’t even cry. She was terrified, sure, but there were no tears. That took a surprising amount of mental strength for a child her age.

  And just before she passed out-after I told her to stop screaming and promised her ice cream-she giggled. As if she hadn't just been through a nightmare moments before.

  What a strange girl.

  “Alright then, let’s go.” I offered her my hand. She took it eagerly.

  “OK!” she said with a bright smile.

  As we stepped outside the hospital-probably the first time in a long while for her-I made sure to walk slowly. I wanted her to take in the sights, to gradually ease into walking again after what must have been days, or even weeks, in confinement.

  We soon arrived at a nearby ice cream shop. I lifted her up onto my shoulders so she could get a full view of the dispy.

  “See anything you like?” I asked.

  She took her time responding. Her eyes scanned the colorful rows of frozen treats with intense focus. Her mouth was nearly watering.

  “Can we-no wait… maybe I want that one? No, no… that one looks good too…”

  Seeing her lost in indecision, I decided to step in.

  “Why not get a combination of them all?”

  “REALLY?!” she gasped.

  And just like that, she picked a combination of every fvor that caught her eye.

  Huh… she’s quite the greedy little one when she wants something.

  As we walked toward the temple, Sarah joyfully munched on her ice cream, holding my hand tightly.

  “Wow… Mr. Cooler sir… your hand is really scaly.”

  “It is? Should I wear gloves to make you more comfortable?”

  “NO WAY!” she blurted. “I’m saying it feels so AWESOME and WARM! Like-this is the hand that defeated those bad guys?! No wonder!”

  Strange girl, I gotta say. But not unpleasant.

  “So… who’s this person we’re going to meet that’s going to help me?”

  I replied, “Well, it’s someone of high importance. I can’t say her name right now-this kind of discussion is best kept private, for the sake of that person’s confidentiality.”

  She tilted her head. “What does confidentiality mean?”

  “It means keeping a secret,” I expined.

  Her eyes lit up and she grinned. “OH OH OH, so it’s super secret!”

  I nodded. “Indeed.”

  And that was that.

  She hummed cheerfully the entire way to the secret entrance I’d used earlier. When we entered the tunnel, her eyes widened in astonishment. The cool, dark passage, carved with ancient patterns, seemed to fascinate her.

  When we reached the massive wooden door, she let out a quiet, awed “Wow.”

  “Like what you see?” I asked.

  “YEAH, IT’S SO PRETTY!”

  Well, I’m gd she’s staying positive. It’s good for her.

  And honestly… I think Goddess Vaassith will enjoy her company-knowing how she is. We will see in a few minutes.

  I then knocked on the door. Waiting for Goddess Vaasiths usual response.

  "Come in"

  I pushed open the door slowly. The room, lit with soft golden light from unseen sources, revealed the radiant figure of Goddess Vaassith, seated upon her throne carved of obsidian and gold-veined stone. Her presence was overwhelming—cloaked in flowing robes that shimmered between green, gold, and a deep crimson, her face partially veiled with a sheer cloth, only revealing glimpses of scales that glimmered like polished emerald and fire-opal. Behind her, a halo-like crest of spectral serpent wings rippled with gentle energy, framing her like a living icon.When I looked to my side and saw Sarah opening her mouth in awe.

  "She's so pretty!" Sarah shouted, but then she quickly covered her mouth. Her cheeks turned red. “Um… sorry, ma’am!” she added quickly, and gave a bow that was surprisingly respectful for a child her age. It was clear she understood instantly that she was in the presence of someone far beyond normal-her instincts sharp for one so young.

  Goddess Vaasith giggled while putting her palm over her mouth. "Oh my...what a sweet child."She turned her veiled gaze toward Sarah, eyes twinkling with curiosity. “You’re quite polite. And bold. I like that.”

  She said, her glowing eyes-hidden behind the veil but still somehow visible-focused on Sarah with warmth and curiosity.

  Sarah peeked up. “Am I in trouble?”

  “Trouble?” the goddess repeated with amusement. “You’ve done nothing wrong, little one. Fttery is always welcome when it comes from the heart.” She tilted her head thoughtfully. “And yours seems very honest.”

  I watched quietly, unsure how this would go. Goddess Vaassith wasn’t often this casual with strangers. But with Sarah, she seemed… lighter.

  Sarah stepped closer timidly. “Um… are you like a queen?”

  Vaassith gave a serene nod. “You could say that. I am a goddess-the protector of Cooler here, and many others like him. My name is Vaassith.”

  Sarah gasped. “A real goddess? Like… an actual real one? Not just from stories?!”

  Vaassith leaned forward slightly, the veils of her robes shifting like liquid silk. “Very real, little one. And you-” her voice softened, eyes narrowing thoughtfully, "...your from royalty arent you?”

  That made Sarah pause. “How did you-?”

  Vaassith didn’t answer right away. Instead, she extended a hand gently toward the child. “Come here, Sarah. May I see your hand?”

  Sarah gnced at me nervously.

  I gave her a reassuring nod. “It’s alright. She’s kind.”

  Sarah stepped forward and pced her small hand in Vaassith’s. The goddess closed her own around it, and a gentle pulse of golden light passed between them.

  Vaassith’s expression shifted. For the briefest second, something flickered across her face-recognition.

  “Ah, so it really is her.” she murmured.

  I straightened, puzzled. “You know where she is from?”

  Vaassith opened her eyes and looked at me, then back at Sarah, who was now staring up at her with a quiet, knowing expression.

  “She already knows,” Vaassith said softly. “She’s testing me-to see if I know too.” She smiled. “Smart girl.”

  She turned to Sarah once more. "Your from the nation of Vitalia aren't you?"

  The girl paused and then gently nodded. Meanwhile, I was stunned

  I exhaled sharply. “Wait… Vitalia? That nation? The powerful human kingdom across the sea-far beyond our borders? The one ruled by the royal bloodline of the blessed star lineage?”

  “Yes. And she is the lost princess-the first-born heir her people have searched for since her mysterious disappearance a year ago.”

  I stepped back, overwhelmed.

  “What?” I whispered, the word barely escaping my lips.

  Vaassith turned her gaze to me, calm and resolute.

  “Cooler, what you have done-without even knowing-is save the future ruler of an influential kingdom. Your choice has changed not only her life… but possibly the course of history.”

  My chest tightened. My thoughts raced. And yet her voice anchored me.

  “And so,” she continued. “a new mission begins. One that will require patience, protection, and great discretion.”

  I was still trying to process it all. “…What do you mean?”

  Vaassith rose from her throne, her full divine presence stretching through the chamber, and she spoke with solemn authority:

  “You, Cooler Trauss, will guide and protect Princess Sarah on her journey back to her homend of Vitalia. This journey shall be long and perilous-but essential. You must do it quietly, without drawing attention. The mysterious group from the b-whoever they are-cannot know that she is enroute back to her kingdom.”

  She took a step forward, and I instinctively knelt, understanding the weight of what she was pcing on me. I did not expect a new mission this quickly.

  “Your mission is now a matter of divine trust and political importance,” she said. “If you succeed, not only will you ensure her safety, but you will also establish the first alliance between our city-Zeledraeth, City of Scaled Divinity-and the nation of Vitalia.”

  Sarah looked at me, eyes wide, still holding the half-melted remains of her ice cream.

  “So… you’re taking me home?”

  I looked at her. This small girl, bright and bold, who had ughed with a nurse hours ago like nothing was wrong-was the missing princess of a powerful nation.

  I nodded slowly.

  “Yeah… I guess I am."

  I sighed-this time out loud-letting the weight of what y ahead settle in. Then I looked at her again, making a small smile to soften the moment.

  “Ready for a long journey?”

  Sarah’s eyes lit up—not with fear, but with that same innocent courage I had seen. She grinned at me, ice cream still smudged at the corner of her mouth.

  “As long as you’re with me, I’m not scared.”

  It seems...another interesting journey has just begun.

  Announcement

  Hello readers,

  It’s good to write to you again after such a long time. My apologies for the dey-I've finally completed my finals, and I'm happy to say that new chapters will be coming soon. I hope you enjoy reading them! Thank you as always for your support.